Heather Taylor, Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2016
SMA’s Enrichment Program Hosts Open House at New Location as Part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Daytona Beach, FL– Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare (SMA) is pleased to announce that they will host a ribbon cutting and tour of their new facility located at 225 Fentress Blvd. in Daytona Beach on Oct. 27th as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Ms. Wheelchair Florida Heather Taylor will be the keynote speaker.
“Enrichment Program provides hope to individuals in our community that may otherwise not be able to find or maintain employment,” said Heather. “It is amazing to see businesses partnering with SMA’s Enrichment Program to improve our community and the lives of these incredible individuals,” Heather added.
Enrichment is a key partner in our community serving people with disabilities through services like their employment skills training program and supported employment. Enrichment provides support to manufacturers and other companies with their light manufacturing, assembling, packaging, and promotional product services, as well as manufacturing their own line of products. Supported Employment provides assistance to individuals desiring competitive employment in the community. The program offers screening and job matching, job development, job placement, on-site training assistance, and life-long follow-along services to help the individual maintain employment.
There will be a social and continental breakfast at 8:00am, followed by keynote speaker Heather Taylor at 8:30am, then Enrichment Program tours at 9:00am. Heather will speak on the importance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as well as share her passion for advocacy.
Heather Taylor was born in Tampa, Florida to parents Rosa Lee Reinhart and William Paul Henderson. At the age of six, she lost both parents to a homicide-suicide perpetrated by her father. Though her father’s intent was for her to not live through that day, she was able to more than survive, she was able to thrive. She excelled in scholastic endeavors and is now working on her second Masters degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. With a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree from Liberty University in Professional Counseling, Heather has been able to serve residents of Florida as a professionally certified exceptional student educator, an employee of the Florida Center for Medicaid and the Uninsured, an in-home Family Preservation Counselor for families referred by the Department of Children and Families, and an advocate for change in the behavioral health industry. When Heather learned she and her husband, Randall Taylor, were expecting their daughter, Grace, she knew something was abnormal during the pregnancy. After many hospital visits and stays, heart procedures and tests, it was determined she had Dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) for which there currently is no cure. For months she and her newborn would crawl on the floor together as her body was unable to handle the stress of standing and doctors did not know what to do to help. Now she has mobility through a power recline wheelchair and is traveling throughout the state of Florida spreading awareness about Dystautonomia, Domestic Violence, Suicide Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention, Mental Illness, and she is a firm advocate for those with disabilities. Her mission is to advocate, educate and empower all persons suffering with both visible and invisible illnesses as well as to break through attitudinal and architectural barriers for persons with disabilities.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month has been celebrating disability inclusion for more than 70 years. Reflecting the important role disability plays in workforce diversity. Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of their skills and talents.
SMA Behavioral Healthcare’s mission is to deliver exceptional and comprehensive behavioral healthcare to individuals and families in our community. SMA’s vision is of a community where addiction and mental illness are treated promptly, comprehensively and with respect for all. Contact SMA at 800-539-4228 or online at http://www.smabehavioral.org/ or stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SMABehavioralHealthServices.